San Francisco (United States) (AFP) – The San Francisco 49ers held off a late rally from the Washington Commanders to claim a 23-17 victory and preserve their perfect start to the NFL season on Monday. San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey rushed for two touchdowns as the in-form 49ers moved to a league-best 6-0 record at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
But the 49ers were made to work hard for victory after Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels led a second-half fightback that fell just short. San Francisco had appeared to be strolling towards a routine win after quarterback Brock Purdy found tight end George Kittle in the endzone to cap a nine-play 64-yard drive in the first quarter.
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Washington responded with a 51-yard field goal from Drew Stevens but San Francisco were soon leading by 10 points after McCaffrey rushed from the one-yard line to make it 13-3. Another close-range McCaffrey touchdown in the second quarter after a 14-play 69-yard drive took San Francisco into a 20-3 lead at half-time.
A 33-yard field goal from Eddy Pineiro made it 23-3 to the 49ers early in the third quarter and seemingly on course for a comfortable victory. Washington though began fighting back late in the third quarter with Daniels hitting Stefon Diggs for a touchdown to make it 23-10.
Daniels tossed a second touchdown midway through the fourth quarter when he found Rachaad White to help take the score to 23-17. The Washington defense forced San Francisco to punt twice on their next two possessions, and that left the Commanders one last chance to snatch a winning score. That drive ended with Daniels sacked at the Washington 42-yard line to end the game.
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